Cartier, Patek Top Sellers At Patrizzi & Co. New York Auction

Patrizzi & Co. opened the 2010 season on March 9 in New York City. Sales exceeded $2 million and two-thirds of the 161 lots sold. The top price of $250,000 was paid for a 1929 gold and nephrite Cartier Comet table clock featuring grande sonnerie chimes—the most complicated mechanism ever made by the company. A Patek Philippe Celestial ref. 5102 wristwatch brought $180,000, and a platinum Louis Cartier Art Déco Tank watch produced in 1929 set a world record at $135,000 – well above the presale estimate.

In addition to the catalog auction, Patrizzi & Co hosted its second silent sale with three-day viewings in Hong Kong and New York City. Thirty-nine pieces were sold for a total of more than $110,000. Purchasers appreciated the wide range of brands and styles, and took advantage of the “Buy Now” option. “This is a different type of selling during our previews that brings a whole new level of excitement and interest with a large selection of secondhand and collector-level wristwatches, pocket watches and clocks. We will be introducing it to our Geneva auction for the first time in April,” said company founder Osvaldo Patrizzi.

The Cartier Comet table clock

The Patek Philippe Celestial ref. 5102

This platinum Louis Cartier Tank watch set a world record

Additional sale results along with high resolution images are available at the Patrizzi & Co. website.